CBL Opens Phase I of The Forum at Grandview

CBL & Associates Properties Inc. and The Mattiace Co. opened Phase I of The Forum at Grandview, a community center in Madison, Miss. Phase I of the project encompasses 100,000 square feet. It is already 100 percent leased, to tenants including Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Stein Mart and Malco Grandview Theater.

JBHM served as the architect on the project and Hoar Construction was the general contractor. Going forward, CBL will be responsible for the management and leasing of the property.

“The Forum at Grandview will not only provide Madison with an outstanding retail destination, but will make a positive and lasting economic contribution to the area,” said Justice Wade, vice president of development, leasing and peripheral property with CBL & Associates, in a statement. “We are thrilled to open the first phase of this project and have already received inquiries from a number of great retail names interested in joining future phases. We are excited to join the Madison community and look forward to serving area shoppers for years to come.”

C&W Appoints James Underhill CEO of the Americas

Cushman & Wakefield appointed James M. Underhill as CEO of the Americas. In his new position, Underhill will be responsible for driving the firm’s business growth and development in the region and overseeing branch and area leaders in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. He will be based in Cushman & Wakefield’ Washington, D.C. office and will report to Glenn Rufrano, the firm’s president and CEO.

Prior to being appointed to his new post, Underhill served as executive vice president and area leader for Cushman & Wakefield in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. He has more than 25 years of experience in real estate.

“Jim stood out among a strong list of internal and external candidates for this key position, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with him to enhance value to our clients and grow our market share,” said Rufrano in a statement. The Americas is Cushman & Wakefield’s largest operating region, spanning 141 owned and alliance offices throughout North and South America.

Stirling Wins Mall Management Assignment

Stirling Properties has been appointed as the exclusive leasing and management agent for Clearview Mall, a 700,000-square-foot enclosed regional mall in Metairie, La. Tenants at the property include Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sears and AMC Palace Theatre 12.

Shopping Center Group to Represent Atlanta’s Tower Walk

The Shopping Center Group has been appointed as the exclusive leasing representative for the Tower Walk, a 165,000-square-foot retail component of Tower Place in Atlanta. Stephanie McCall will lead this assignment.

MGHerring Group Completes New Deals Totaling 100,000 SF at Village at Fairview

The MGHerring Group lined up more than 100,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant and entertainment venues at the Village at Fairview in Fairview, Texas.

Whole Foods Market signed a 41,000-square-foot deal at the property. The Whole Foods store opened on November 1.Splitsville, an entertainment venue that combines bowling, billiards, dining and nightlife, has signed a deal for 25,000 square feet of space. It will open in late 2010/early 2011.

A Real Bookstore signed a deal for 20,000 square feet. The retailer plans to open later this year.

Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, a seafood restaurant, signed a 7,900-square-foot lease. The restaurant opened in early November.

Daired’s Salon & Spa Pangea has signed a 13,000-square-foot lease. It will open in late 2010/early 2011.

La Duni Latin Kitchen & Coffee Studio has signed a deal for 7,000 square feet. It will open in early 2011.

Finish Line signed a 3,650-square-foot lease. It will open later this year.

The Elegant Door, a furniture store, signed a 3,585-square-foot lease. The store opened in November.

Vertigo, a retailer specializing in skateboard equipment, signed a 3,500-square-foot lease. It will open later this year.

Twisted Root Burger Co. signed a 3,000-square-foot lease. The restaurant opened in November.

Centro Signs New Tenants in Texas, North Carolina

Centro Properties Group signed several new transactions:

Ashley Furniture has signed a deal for a 45,000-square-foot store at Baybrook Gateway in Webster, Texas. Clint Schroff, of Endeavors Group, represented the tenant in the transaction. Stephen Swope served as the in-house representative for Centro.

Christmas Tree Shops has signed a deal for 33,500 square feet of space at Wendover Place Shopping Center in Greensboro, N.C. Brian Simon, of HRS Retail, represented the tenant in the transaction. Pam Harrelson served the in-house representative for Centro.

Forest City Fills Out Tenant List at Yonker’s Ride Hill Project

Forest City Enterprises has signed six new retailers at Ridge Hill, a 1.3-million-square-foot mixed-use center under construction in Yonkers, N.Y. The tenants include Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, Orvis, Brio Tuscan Grille, Texas de Brazil and Yard House. The project is scheduled to open in 2011.

ShopRite Opens at Crossroads at Stony Point

ShopRite has signed an agreement with Crossroads Cos. LLC for a 70,000-square-foot store at the Crossroads at Stony Point in Stony Point, N.Y. ShopRite will serve as the anchor for the property. The store has already opened.

Other Notable News

National Retail Properties Inc. appointed David M. Fick to its board of directors. Fick most recently served as managing director with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Casto Lifestyle Properties awarded the construction assignment for a three-story 586-space parking structure at Randhurst Village in Mount Prospect, Ill. to McShane Construction Co. McShane is also working on construction of the 120-room Hampton Inn & Suites hotel at the center. The parking structure is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2011.

Walker & Dunlop hired Richard M. Lucas as executive vice president and general counsel. Previously, Lucas served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Hilton Worldwide.